Savory Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby

May 12, 2017
Golden, crunchy, and covered in a salty layer of baked Parmesan, this savory herbed Dutch Baby has a crisp outer crust and a soft, cheesy, custardy center

Happy Friday!

What are you up to this weekend?  We're ..

Harry – May 2017

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looking forward to Mother's Day

With picture perfect weather forecast for Iowa, the puppies and I are planning a road trip to visit my son and his family.  There's nothing like a day filled with podcasts, the wind in your fur, and the people you love.  I'm excited to see their farmer's market, have a picnic at the park, and feel my grandson's whispers in my ear.

Of course, a pot of miso soup might be in order (their favorite), along with capturing some new pictures for my office

This week, as I was adding a few photos of Little Z to his memorial, I couldn't help but think

There's no shortage of photos of the events in our lives:  birthday parties, family visits, trips to the apple orchard.  But it's the everyday moments I want to remember; the days that smell like strawberry puffs and innocence.  The days that are full of life and hope and dreams.  The days of hair in a ponytail, an unmade bed, and an abandoned to-do list.

The real everyday beauty

As I pressed his photo to my chest, I realized that particular moment could have passed.

We could have come up with a million excuses to press on; just one more email, laundry zero.  But we didn't.  And now I'm so, so, so grateful for the photos.  Another gentle reminder from this sweet, sweet soul; that the days (and our lists) are long.  But the years are short.  They're fleeting, and strung together by only the moments we choose to create

This Mother's Day weekend, we're choosing play over productivity.  Something tells me that by the time it's through, our lists will still be laying on the kitchen counter, but our hearts will be very full indeed

I wish all of the mothers who are reading, the happiest of Mother's Days.  Thank you for who you are and all that you do

Golden, crunchy, and covered in a salty layer of baked Parmesan, this savory herbed Dutch Baby has a crisp outer crust and a soft, cheesy, custardy center

Golden, crunchy, and covered in a salty layer of baked Parmesan, this savory herbed Dutch Baby has a crisp outer crust and a soft, cheesy, custardy center

Golden, crunchy, and covered in a salty layer of baked Parmesan, this savory herbed Dutch Baby has a crisp outer crust and a soft, cheesy, custardy center

Dutch Babies; aka big poufy pancakes served hot out the oven with their loft still intact.  Call it a Dutch baby, Dutch puff, or German pancake as my do my grandfather's old recipe clippings.  They're a satisfying and dramatic meal that's ridiculously easy to make.

When the kids were little, I alternated between regular pancakes and dutch babies for them on Sunday mornings.  One partial to maple syrup; the other lemon and powder sugar.  They were a sweet start to the day.

This recipe is different and far more in line with the way my husband and I eat now.  Turning the basic puffed pancake formula into something savory, cheesy, herby and peppery.  A recipe for the salt-toothed of the world (those who reach for potato chips instead of a cookie)

Instead of sugar, the focus is on eggs and cheese.  A Yorkshire pudding meets a gougère meets a supersize popover.  Crisp on the outside, steamy and custardy on the inside.  It’s coated with grated Parmesan that crisps up into a lacy, crunchy surface as it bakes

One could serve this savory Dutch baby for brunch with maybe a side of fruit to balance the richness.  It would also be a wonderful lunch with a salad on the side.  Yet it's cozy and  impressive as a light supper; perhaps served alongside a big pot of soup and a glass of wine

For something completely unexpected, make it for your next dinner party.  Think a little ahead about the timing so you can pull it out of the oven once everyone's about one drink in.  Offer it up and let everyone tear it apart with their hands (have napkins at the ready)

Puffed, browned, and elegant.  It's as much a conversation piece as it is an hors d’oeuvre

Enjoy!

xoxo

~ Adapted from Dinner by Melissa Clark

Savory Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby

Ingredients

  • 1 cup + 2 Tbsp whole wheat pastry flour
  • fine grain sea salt + freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 eggs (large or XL)
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped fine + more for garnish
  • 2 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped fine + more for garnish
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • ¾ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • flaky sea salt, for garnish
  • sriracha and/or lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 425 deg F
  • In a large bowl, add the flour, a strong pinch of sea salt, and a grind or two of freshly ground black pepper. Whisk to combine
  • In a separate bowl, add the eggs and milk. Whisk to combine
  • Add the eggs to the flour mixture and whisk until just combined.
  • Stir in the thyme and chives
  • Over medium-high heat, add the butter to a 12-inch cast-iron (or another oven safe) skillet, and allow it to melt.
  • Continue to cook, whisking occasionally, until the butter has browned and smells nutty (~ 5-7 min); then swirl it around in the skillet until the sides and bottom of the pan are coated
  • Pour the batter into the skillet, and scatter the Parmesan cheese and flaky sea salt over the top
  • Bake until the Dutch baby has puffed and is golden (~ 20-25 min)
  • ** Note: Baking it a little less gives a softer interior though less rise; baking it little more gives you more puff and a drier interior; both ways are wonderful
  • Serve immediately, garnished with thyme, chives, and (optionally) Sriracha and/or lemon wedges on the side
Serves: 6
Nutrition + Show
Rating:
Calories 380
Total Fat 20.3g
Saturated Fat 9.7g
Carbohydrates 31.5g
Fiber 4.5g
Sugars 2.9g
Protein 17.7g
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74 Comments

  • Reply Kim May 12, 2017 at 3:09 am

    5 stars
    Oh! My other half would love this, I’m going to have to add it to my meal plan! Seems fairly simple to make too, so I’m excited!

  • Reply Becca Talbot May 12, 2017 at 4:22 am

    I love your description of the everyday moments Alison, I too take millions of pictures of everyday things, to help jog the memories. As for Dutch Babies, I’d never heard of these, but the photos you’ve posted have me salivating! Mmmmm, what I’d give for one of these right now! x

  • Reply Chelsea Elizabeth May 12, 2017 at 4:28 am

    I love your photo’s Alison. This looks so appetising! I’d definitely try this with some yummy wedges as a side

  • Reply Kate May 12, 2017 at 4:29 am

    5 stars
    This savoury dutch baby looks sooooo good. Have a great time on your road trip!

  • Reply Alli Smith May 12, 2017 at 4:58 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a savory dutch baby. This is perfect for my since I don’t like to start my day with sugary foods. This would also be good for dinner.

  • Reply Jenny May 12, 2017 at 5:47 am

    I’ve never seen one of these before but it looks perfect for a dinner party!

  • Reply Alana May 12, 2017 at 6:52 am

    I have never heard of this before, but I really need to try it, this is my kind of comfort food, I hope you have an amazing Mothers Day x

  • Reply Candy May 12, 2017 at 6:58 am

    Always surprised people haven’t heard of dutch baby recipes. They are so easy to make and the key is you must have a cast iron skillet.

  • Reply Amber Myers May 12, 2017 at 7:49 am

    5 stars
    Oo I’ve never had this before, but I certainly would try it. It looks so delicious!

    I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day–your dog is precious!

  • Reply Jenni May 12, 2017 at 8:34 am

    This lools amazing! I have pinned this for later to try 🙂

  • Reply Tamara May 12, 2017 at 9:24 am

    I really like poufy pancakes. And I really like your blog. Did I mention that? I tend to tell a lot of personal stories with my recipes. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a savory Dutch Baby but I’d prefer it. Someone once made me a sweet one with syrup!

  • Reply Crystal Lopez May 12, 2017 at 10:31 am

    What an amazing dish! I have honestly never made these or even thought of them for breakfast but they look delicious! I love the combinations in this savory dish because sometimes we just need something that isn’t too sweet! Must try!

  • Reply Mars May 12, 2017 at 10:48 am

    That is to die for! I’m actually craving for it right now. And your doggy is really handsome.

  • Reply Akamatra May 12, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    Yet another one of your recipes I am drooling over! And what a happy dog you have there!!!!

  • Reply Sarah Bailey May 12, 2017 at 12:37 pm

    Have an amazing time taking a road trip with the pups to see your son! I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day as well.

  • Reply Ana Ojha May 12, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    5 stars
    First of all Allison, wish you a great mother’s day weekend with your family! I’m drooling over the pictures of your Savory Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby. It looks so tempting and super delicious!

  • Reply Sarah May 12, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    I’ve never heard of a Dutch Baby before but it looks amazing!!

  • Reply Jenn May 12, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Interesting. I’ve never heard of this before. I do love savory, and Parmesan, so I’ll have to give this a try.

  • Reply Louise May 12, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Ooh, this looks absolutely delicious. I think I’d love it. Will definitely have to give making it a go 🙂

    Louise x

  • Reply Elizabeth May 12, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    This looks like a great recipe! I can think of a few of my family members who’d love this.

  • Reply Rose Cottrill May 12, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Oh my, I am drooling just by looking at it. It looks so delicious! I am glad you shared your recipe.

  • Reply Katie May 12, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    This looks soooo good, hadn’t heard of it before! Happy Mothers Day, have a lovely weekend x

  • Reply Beth May 12, 2017 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    This looks insanely delicious. I am totally going to have to try and make this. Soooooooo yummy!

  • Reply Dawn McAlexander May 12, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    This looks so tasty. I have never heard of a dutch baby before, but it looks good enough to devour. I am all about some good breads and cakes like this. I would love to try it.

  • Reply Chloe May 12, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    5 stars
    I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day! This recipe looks divine <3

  • Reply Lisa Favre May 12, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    This is SO a dish that my entire family would truly appreciate. You totally had me at parmesan and this recipe includes the perfect amount of it.

  • Reply Roch May 13, 2017 at 12:47 am

    I love the how that crunchy surface sounds. This looks like the ideal recipe for appetizers, something that will get the right conversation going. It’s also light for brunch.

  • Reply Anosa May 13, 2017 at 6:35 am

    Happy Mother’s Day and hope you have a lovely one because if this poufy pancake is any indication lots of wonderful memories will be made.

  • Reply Lindsey May 13, 2017 at 9:48 am

    It looks delicious! I’d seriously love to try them.

  • Reply Helen May 13, 2017 at 10:11 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like a Dutch baby but it looks and sounds delicious. (Anything cheesy always gets my vote!) I’ll definitely give this a go myself.

  • Reply David Elliott May 13, 2017 at 11:25 am

    First, this looks amazing. Second, I have done these before but I did them as a sweet pastry and not so much a savory one…. but you give me ideas here. And finally, it reminds me I really need to find my cast iron skillet. I miss that thing.

  • Reply Rebecca Swenor May 13, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    5 stars
    This savory herb and parmesan dutch baby sounds and looks delicious. I actually have never made one so I will have to try this recipe. Thanks for shairng the recipe.

  • Reply Rhian Westbury May 14, 2017 at 4:13 am

    Hope you had a great Mother’s Day, this recipe looks really yummy x

  • Reply Melanie May 14, 2017 at 11:20 am

    5 stars
    I haven’t heard of these before but it looks and sounds fabulous. I do love sweet and savoury pancakes and this would be something exciting to try once I can get some of those herbs in.

  • Reply Janice May 14, 2017 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    Looks like a really tasty dish! I have never had one like this before so that alone is reason enough for me to make one. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  • Reply Lisa Lisa May 14, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never seen nor heard of a Dutch baby pancake before. You have pique my interest now and I want to try out this recipe. Thanks, your pictures are “Awesome”!!

  • Reply Lynne Harper May 14, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    This looks incredible and something i might be able to make myself, love the selection of pictures as well 🙂 thanks for sharing x

  • Reply Joanna May 14, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    It’s interesting how different countries have different dates for Mother’s Day. In my country this date is the 8th of March. The Dutch baby pancake is definitely a treat for such an occasion.

  • Reply Steph May 14, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    Loving the dog picture. I’ve not heard of a Dutch puff before. Looks like something I would like x

  • Reply Georgia May 14, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    I like this idea for a pancake/omelette and it has some parmesan cheese too, which means it cannot go wrong. Any food with parmesane is instantly 100 % better! 😀

  • Reply Stephanie Usher May 14, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Everyday beauty is really important! I’m trying really hard this year to capture the little moments! xx

  • Reply Agnes May 14, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Your food pictures always make me hungry, this looks delicious! It would be nice to serve this with brunch for sure.

  • Reply Tanya Brannan May 14, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    I can honestly say I have never heard of a Dutch Baby but I am so glad that you have introduced me to it! I love pancakes of all kinds, sweet or savoury and I have yet to meet a cheese I don’t like. I am planning to try this out at the weekend for my family xx

  • Reply Lillian May 14, 2017 at 7:54 pm

    Oh my goodness this looks amazing. I’ve never heard of a Dutch Baby before, but I’ll definitely be adding it to my list of things to try this summer. My mouth is watering as I type this!

  • Reply Angie Rose May 14, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    This post instantly made me hungry. Then it made me smile when I saw Harry! Please give him a nice head pet or belly scratch for me. I’ve never made this dish before, but now I must try it!

  • Reply Stephanie May 15, 2017 at 4:05 am

    5 stars
    Mouth watering post! I never tasted dutch baby before. But, I would like to try it, especially during the dinner.

  • Reply Cheryl May 15, 2017 at 9:33 am

    I still can’t believe I’ve never tried a Dutch Baby, but this one looks so yummy and delicious 🙂 And I love anything with cheese!

  • Reply Luna May 15, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Happy Mother’s Day! I haven’t tried making Dutch Baby but this just looks divine! I love it.

  • Reply Ava May 16, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    I make pancakes all the time, and also consider myself to be a knowledgeable home chef however, I’ve never heard of these! They’re on my list of things to make this weekend.

  • Reply Ana De- Jesus May 16, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    How did mothers day go? I hope that it was good! I love the sound of this herbed Parmesan dish it sounds divine mmm x

  • Reply sonali jain May 17, 2017 at 11:39 am

    I never heard of dutch baby recipes, but they looks delicious. pics are really good 🙂

  • Reply Laura May 17, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    I have never heard of this before but it looks delicious! Your photos are gorgeous, im going to try this!

  • Reply Whitney Abigail May 17, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    I’ve never heard of Dutch Baby before but this recipe looks fabulous. Hope you had a great mother’s day!

  • Reply Carrie May 18, 2017 at 2:45 am

    Omg! This looks so divine. I have never heard of a dutch baby before but now that you introduced me I will definitely have to give it a try.

  • Reply Marina Rosie May 22, 2017 at 9:21 am

    5 stars
    These look and sound wonderful Alison, so this is definitely something I’m going to HAVE to try! x Harry is the most adorable thing by the way! x
    Lots of love,
    Marina Rosie xx

  • Reply Mel June 5, 2017 at 10:33 am

    Your Dutch Baby looks so so good! I would love it with a large salad

  • Reply Esther February 12, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. Made this two nights ago — my very first Dutch Baby ever — and it was absolutely divine. I felt like a queen while we ate dinner. It’s moments like this one that remind me why I love this blog so much!

  • Reply Amber Myers March 1, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    I would eat so much of this. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Dutch Baby before. I just love the name! Cute doggy as well.

  • Reply Heidi March 1, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    I’ve never heard of Dutch babies before. They sound amazing. Thanks for a great recipe to try.

  • Reply Sarah Bailey March 1, 2018 at 5:31 pm

    5 stars
    It sounds like you had a have an amazing time planned for Mothers’ Day we are heading down to see the other halves parents and take his Mum out.

    I am going to have to try your recipe for Dutch Baby some time.

  • Reply Vian March 1, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    5 stars
    Hi allison, it’s me again! First up, I want to commend the puppy – so cute! Hugs! Next, the recipe for Savory Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby. I will try this again at home! I need to copy the exact details so I can get the exact taste. Thank you for sharing. Thumbs up! You got a 5-star!

  • Reply Sondra Barker March 1, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    I can’t wait to make this. Love your posts, Ali. Your writing and storing telling always gets me. Every time..

  • Reply AnnMarie March 2, 2018 at 6:48 am

    5 stars
    I live for those every day moments with the kids! It may feel crazy sometimes but at the end of the day when everyone’s in bed, I lay on mine and thank God that I have them in my life! This dutch baby recipe is something I need in my life though. It looks SO good and I love that it’s savory!

  • Reply Patricia-Ann Que March 2, 2018 at 9:27 am

    i only heard about the dutch baby but actually have not tried! it does looks good and perhaps will try it this weeken!

  • Reply Elizabeth March 2, 2018 at 9:37 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness gracious me that looks HEAVENLY! Why have I never eaten anything like this before!?

  • Reply Kim March 2, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    Yum! That looks delicious and would be perfect for Easter brunches. Can’t wait to give it a try!

  • Reply Leo T. Ly March 2, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    4 stars
    For this year’s Mother’s Day, I think that cooking a meal for mom is not a bad idea. This recipe will definitely help as I am not that great at making meals from scratch, but I can definitely follow instructions.

  • Reply LaToyia Dennis March 2, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    I am so mad right now. I have lived 44 years and never heard of or had a dutch baby pancake. WTW! They look amazing.

  • Reply Dee Jackson March 3, 2018 at 4:32 am

    Oh wow. This looks so darn good. I want to try it right now

  • Reply Bethany March 3, 2018 at 6:13 am

    Ooo this sounds delicious, I’m definitely going to have to try it. Such a hearty meal and would work perfectly for a big family.

  • Reply Roselle Toledo March 3, 2018 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is for me. I prefer salty over sweet and I love cheese! The sriracha will put a perfect balance with the taste. I’ll give my pancake a twist the next time I bake.

  • Reply Anosa March 4, 2018 at 7:42 am

    I am definitely looking forward to mother’s day and excited to get her something awesome since I won’t be home. Love the sound of Dutch babies

  • Reply Laura H March 5, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Never come across a Dutch baby myself but it does look tasty! I much prefer savoury crepes and pancakes so I think I’d like this 🙂

  • Reply Bev March 5, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    This dish looks so elegant and delicious. I would love to sample this as I imagine it has some yummy flavors and a delectable consistency.

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